Lighting attachment for show-cases.



T. E. CLARK.

R SHOW GASES.

NA Mn En MP mm AT. TT TA Am GL Nn HA w H Patented Apr. 20, 1909.

/v minimum Tflnurulnr Mi). m. 62$ p/w 0% .THOMAS E. CLARK, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

LIGHTING ATTACEEENT FOR SHOW-GASES.

Specification of Letters Batent.

Patented April 20, 1909.

Application filedAugust 7, 1901. Serial No. 71,134.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. CLARK, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of W ayne, Stateof Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in. Lighting Attachments for Show-Cases; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appcrtains to make and use the same,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a lighting attachment for show-cases and consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth and pointed out particularly inthe claim.

The object of the invention is to provide simple and eflicient means for illuminating the interior of show cases by a series of lights placed upon the exterior thereof, relieving the interior of the case from heat produced by lights when 'placed within the case and enabling. a case containing cigars, confer? tionery, etc., to be brilliantly illuminated without any injurious effect upon the contents; obviating also the formation of ventilating openings through the case whereby dust finds access thereto and the interior of the case is heated to the temperature of the room.

The above object is attained by theiformation and association of arts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a sectional view through a portion of a show-case, showing the application of my invention thereto. Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the application of my invention to an all glass case. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the rail of a case as on line 33 of Fig. I

Referring to the characters of reference, 1 designates the top rail of the. show case,

which supports and unites the vertical sides 2 and ends 3 of the case and the top 4 thereof, all of which are glass. The rail 1, as will be seen, projects laterally and affords space for attachment to its under side of a reflector 5, which extends longitudinally of said rail across the sides and ends of the case and is adapted to contain a series of electric light bulbs, as shown. The reflector, as will be seen on referring to Figs. 1 and 2 is open on its under side adjacent to the glass of the case, so that the rays of light'from the elec-' tric light bulbs may pass obliquely downward into the case through the glass' of the sides and ends. It will also be observed that the curved sides of the reflector depend sufliciently to prevent the eye from oncountering the direct rays from the lights whereby a strong light is diffused through the case, which brightly illuminates the interior thereof without subjecting the contents of the case to the deleterious action of the heat of the lights, while the position of the lights is such that they are obscured from the eye by the curved sides of the reflector. v

The curved or concave reflector 5 is somewhat in the shape of an inverted trough and is preferably formed of sheet metal, the inner face thereof being polished to aflord a reflecting surface. The reflector will be provided with suitable sockets 9 in which the light bulbs 6 are seated and which are connected by the conductor wires 10 with any suitable generator, not shown. To further relieve the interior of the case from any possible heat from the lights, the reflector 5 is seatedin an outer casing 12 in a manner to allow the reflector to be removed by withdrawing it longitudinally from said casing "which is suitably secured to the rail or glass of the show case. The reflector is so mounted in the casing as to form a longitudinal channel or air space 13 which affords ventilation for the lights and serves as a channel in which the conductors 10 may be held and concealed. To facilitate ventilation where the wooden rail 1 is used, said rail is provided with ventilating openings 8 passing outwardly therethrough and communicating with the space or channel 13. Both the reflector-and the casing may be suitably finished and ornamented to harmonize with the trimmings of the show case so that said case may be rendered more attractive by reason of this attachment.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated the application of my invention to an all glass case from which the wooden rail is omitted. To this character of case the reflectorand casing are attached under the projecting edge of the top glass 4 and held in place by bolts or rivets 14 which pass through the glass and the metal angle strip 15 employed to unite the top and side of the case.

It will now be apparent that by means of this improved attachment, the interior of the show case may be brilliantly illuminated without damage to the contents thereof by the heat from the lights, while said lights are so positioned as to be obscured from sight, although rendered readily accessible for the purpose of removal or repair.

Having thus fully set forth my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In a show case, the combination with the transparent top and transparent wall, the top having a projecting margin which projects beyond the outer vertical face of said wall, an opaque reflector fixed in the angle between the projecting top and transparent wall exterior to the latter and extending the entire length of the case, said reflector having an opening on the side adjacent to said wall to permit the rays of light to pass through the transparent wall from the out side, a series of electric lights in said reflector, which is provided with a double wall forming an air space between the reflecting wall of the reflector and the projecting ledge of the top.

Intestimony whereof, I sign this specification in the presence of two nitnesses.

THOMAS E. CLARK. Witnesses:

E. S. WHEELER, A. M. HARTFORD. 

